Arcata gets a new Chief of Police

After nearly five years in office, Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn formally retired from the force on October 18, 2023. An outside recruiting firm was employed to help select a new chief, in a process that included ten applicants and a nationwide search.

Arcata’s new police chief is former APD Lieutenant Bart Silvers. Chief Silvers grew up in Fortuna and has been with the APD since the start of his law enforcement career in 2001 — that is to say, he has much experience with the police department here in Arcata. His service has included stints as has served as acting chief and interim chief. Chief Silvers was sworn in on December 21, 2023. His contract was ratified by the Arcata City Council at their regular meeting on December 20.

The official City of Arcata press release for the selection of the new Chief of Police is below, here. More on the swearing-in ceremony, including statements of appreciation from Karen Diemer, Arcata City Manager, can be seen this Times-Standard article.

How was the Chief of Police chosen?

From the City of Arcata press release. Highlights added.

Recruitment for the Chief of Police position was conducted by an outside recruiting firm, Bob Murray and Associates, who specializes in executive police recruitment. The recruitment process included a nationwide search which resulted in 10 applicants.

“After considering valuable feedback from community members, department and non-department staff, we found that Bart Silvers’s commitment to community policing and his proven dedication to the City and the University community was the best fit for our City,” said Karen Diemer, Arcata City Manager, of Silvers’ appointment.

Dr. Kintay Johnson: It’s the process that’s the problem

At the December 20, 2023, Arcata City Council meeting, Dr. Kintay Johnson spoke for three minutes during the open comment section.

Dr. Johnson has been at College of the Redwoods for over fourteen years. For the past two years his position has been Director of the Multicultural & Equity Center. He is the president of the local Eureka chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the NAACP.

No one is doubting Chief Silvers’ qualifications, devotion, knowledge, and the future benefit of having him here in Arcata as our chief of police. What Dr. Johnson spoke to is the process — how the selection was done and the lack of open community involvement.

Good evening. My name is Dr. Kintay Johnson. That’s K-i-n-t-a-y. Last name Johnson. Local president, Eureka NAACP.

I’m here, one, to speak on behalf of processes. Since you’ve already made your decision, congratulations on your new chief of police. But the process itself — how that person was picked — I don’t think it was very transparent.

I read the article. [The press release from the City of Arcata, in the Mad River Union and Lost Coast Outpost]. It says that there were ten applicants. It says that there were community feedback into the person that was picked.

Where was the opportunity to provide feedback? We’re talking about processes. I would encourage you, as the City, who reaches out to other organizations of color, like my organization [NAACP], like HAPI [Humboldt Asians and Pacific Islanders], you reach out to other organizations of color, other BIPOC organizations in here.

It’s all performative if you’re not then involving all such organizations in your processes.

When it comes to hiring the people, who are going to be governing the City, who are going to be policing the streets. This is our children too walk the streets, not just y’alls.

We need to be involved in these processes. We need to be invited. At least allow us to have feedback. If you’re going to write an article [press release] and you’re going to make a formal statement like that, saying that there was the opportunity for community people.

Now, no disrespect to Chief Silvers. The man has years of experience. And I’m not saying he’s not qualified. And I’m sure, Chief, I’m gonna work with you in a professional level outside of here. This is [a] community member, president of the local chapter of his branch, speaking about the process. I sit on the PD [board] for my college, so I’ll see you on that on that Force board. We’ll see each other, we’ll get to work together.

But just processes, Karen — Processes. And I know you know what I’m talking about with this one, for sure. Because this one kind of stinks. And I’m not going to go there right now. But you know what I’m talking about. And that’s why I showed up tonight. This one stinks.

Clean it up. Processes. Congratulations, Chief. It’s not you — it’s the process.

.

Press release:

City of Arcata welcomes a familiar face as police chief

Arcata, CA, December 15, 2023 – The City of Arcata announced today that Bart Silvers has been appointed Arcata Police Department’s new Chief of Police.

The incoming Chief of Police will be responsible for ensuring that the Arcata Police Department is supporting the Arcata community’s core values essential to contemporary law enforcement, continuing the community’s high level of policing services, building vital community partnerships and growing successful public safety programs focusing on business safety, neighborhood crime, property theft and drug use.

Recruitment for the Chief of Police position was conducted by an outside recruiting firm, Bob Murray and Associates, who specializes in executive police recruitment. The recruitment process included a nationwide search which resulted in 10 applicants.

“Chief of Police is a vital and engaged position in Arcata. It was critical to select a leader with proven experience and the ability to bring specific skills and qualities to Arcata that could allow the department to build on the success that they have generated these past few years under Chief Ahearn. After considering valuable feedback from community members, department and non-department staff, we found that Bart Silvers’s commitment to community policing and his proven dedication to the City and the University community was the best fit for our City,” said Karen Diemer, Arcata City Manager, of Silvers’ appointment.

Silvers has over 22 years of public safety and progressive law enforcement experience with the City of Arcata. He was hired as a Police Officer in 2001. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2005 and then to Lieutenant in 2010. He has served as Acting and Interim Chief numerous times throughout his career.

During his tenure at APD Silvers has held many positions within the department including, Field Training Officer, Sexual Assault Investigator, Background Investigator, Internal Affairs Investigator, Critical Incident Response Team Member, Firearms Instructor, Sexual Assault Response Team Supervisor, Detective Sergeant and most recently Patrol Commander.

As Lieutenant, he implemented numerous initiatives to enhance Arcata’s police department including streamlining the recruitment and hiring process, implementing de-escalation training, enhanced Advanced Officer Training and recently secured a contract for a wellness program for the department.

Silvers said, “I look forward to continuing to work with our dedicated staff and the community to make Arcata a safe place to live and work.”

Bart Silvers graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Sherman Block Leadership Institute.

He holds POST Basic, Intermediate, Supervisory and Management Certificates. He has been married to his wife, Teri, for 31. years and they have three adult children. He enjoys outdoor recreation, fishing and time with family, especially his new grandchild.

The employment contract for Chief Silvers will be reviewed by the City Council for ratification on Dec. 20, an official swearing-in ceremony will be held Dec. 21. Further details will be announced as they become available.